Lynx spikers dust off rust; split with Ballard, North Polk

Schnathorst, Gourley combine for 23 kills on team’s opening night

August 29, 2012

HUXLEY - Aggressive at times and slightly back on its heels in other moments, the Webster City volleyball team opened its 2012 season with a split against non-conference opponents Ballard and North Polk here last night.

The Lynx caught fire early and handled Ballard with ease in straight sets, 25-17 and 25-11. They led North Polk early in both sets before the Comets eventually caught up and stormed ahead for the two-set win, 25-21 and 25-18.

"I thought we had some good moments and some moments where we let down in our focus, especially in the North Polk match," WCHS head coach Jess Howard said. "We started out aggressively and got up on North Polk, but then we let the lead fizzle."

The coach felt her team's lack of execution at net translated into shaky defense as well.

"Our defense started to lag when our offense went soft," Howard said. "So if we can continue to be aggressive at net, our defense will stay strong as well."

Junior all-state outside hitter Kaylee Schnathorst was prominent at net with 15 kills in the two matches. Classmate Morgan Gourley blasted eight, Bridget Moriarty rattled off six and Molly Gilbert had four.